Abstract: This collection contains 25 pieces of correspondence, invoices, ledgers, papers, and stock certificates from Benjamin David
Wilson. Documents are dated from 1856-1872 and some have notations written on verso from 1936.

creator:
Wilson, Benjamin Davis, 1811-1878

Scope and Contents

This collection contains 25 pieces of correspondence, invoices, ledgers, papers, and stock certificates from Benjamin David
Wilson. Documents are dated from 1856-1872 and some have notations written on verso from 1936.

Processed by Library staff after 1981. Finding aid completed by Holly Rose Larson, NHPRC Processing Archivist, 2012 November
9, made possible through grant funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commissions (NHPRC).

Use

Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry National Center. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts
must be submitted in writing to the Autry Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry National Center
as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must
also be obtained by the reader.

Biographical note

Benjamin Davis Wilson (1811, December 1, – 1878, March 11) was a California statesman and politician. He was known to the
Native Americans as Don Benito because of his benevolent manner in his treatment of Indian affairs. Wilson, a native of Tennessee,
was a fur trapper and trader before coming to California. He married Ramona Yorba, daughter of Bernardo Yorba, a wealthy and
prominent landowner, and purchased part of Rancho Jurupa in what would become Riverside County. Wilson was made Justice of
the Peace for the Inland Territory and was entrusted with the care of Indian affairs. He was also commissioned to deal with
the hostile Ute tribe over their cattle rustling and other crimes against the ranchers.

Wilson became the first non-Hispanic owner of Rancho San Pascual, which encompassed today's towns of Pasadena, Altadena, South
Pasadena, Alhambra, San Marino and San Gabriel. Wilson was the second elected Mayor of Los Angeles for one term, Los Angeles
County Supervisor and served three terms as a California State Senator. Wilson died at his San Gabriel ranch in 1878.

Collection is open for research. Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit http://theautry.org/research/research-rules-and-application
or contact library staff at rroom@theautry.org.